Comparing the effect of a desensitizing material and a self-etch adhesive on dentin sensitivity after periodontal surgery: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES: This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the ability of a desensitizing agent and a self-etch adhesive on cervical dentin sensitivity (CDS) after periodontal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety hypersensitive teeth of 13 subjects were included in the study. After periodontal surgery, the teeth of each posterior sextant treated with one of the following materials: G1: Clearfil S³ Bond (Kuraray Dental), G2: Gluma Desensitizer (Heraeus Kulzer), and G3: placebo (water). The sensitivity was assessed using evaporative stimuli before treatment (baseline, T0), 1 day after treatment (T1), after 1 week (T2), and after 1 month (T3) according to visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: Following the treatment, all the 3 groups showed significant reduction of CDS in T1 compared to T0. Reduction of CDS between T1 and T2 was observed only in G1 but there was no significant difference between T2 and T3 in this group. Although we observed a significant difference in T3 compared to T1 and T2 in G2 and G3, comparison of treatment groups in each assessment time showed a significant difference only in T3. According to paired comparison, this was due to the difference between G2 and G3. CONCLUSIONS: Dentin sensitivity following periodontal surgery will decrease spontaneously over time, but treating the sensitive teeth with Gluma Desensitizer and Clearfil S³ Bond can have some benefits.

Comparison of the efficacy of educational film and clinical demonstration for instruction of fiber-reinforced composite post restorations to dental students

Objective: Different educational tools are now commonly used in universities worldwide such as illustrations, audio and videotapes, etc. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of educational film and clinical demonstration for instruction of Fiber-Reinforced Composite [FRC] post restorations to dental students in Department of Restorative Dentistry

Methods: This interventional study was conducted on 70 fifth year dental students in Mashhad University. Students were divided into two groups. Group 1 students watched live demonstration of a treatment procedure [FRC post restoration] while group 2 watched the educational film of the same procedure. Both groups participated in a post-test. Also, students' perspectives were sought via a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS, Student's t-test and Chi-square test

Results: The mean post-test score of group 2 students [educational film] was greater than that of group 1 students [clinical demonstration] and the difference in this respect between the two groups was statistically significant [p=0.008]. Considering the score of 7 as an acceptable score, 44 students gained scores 7 or higher; out of which, 16 were in group 1 [clinical demonstration] and 28 were in group 2 [educational film]. The difference in this regard between the two groups was statistically significant [p=0.003]. Most students preferred watching the educational film to the crowded clinical demonstration sessions

Conclusion: Watching the educational film yielded greater test scores than the clinical demonstration